Sucker rod connection



June 13, 1939. H. F. RICHTER SUCKER ROD CONNECTION Filed Nov. 10, 1937 F I n M Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a sucker rod for pumps and more particularly pertains to couplings for connecting contiguous sucker rod sections in line.

An object of the invention is to provide a con- 5 struction whereby rod sections may be connected together end to end to extend in longitudinal alignment with each other without employment of screw threads and the incident necessity of rotating the rod sections or the couplings, thereby effecting a saving in time in making and breaking the connection and resulting in a connection of maximum strength and free of possibility of accidental separation of the rods and couplings.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention is carried into effect as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the sucker rod coupling with portions broken away showing it as applied;

Fig. 2 is a view of the coupling as seen in side elevation at right angles to the view depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the coupling with the rod sections removed;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the coupling as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing more specifically A indicates generally the rod coupling which embodies a body portion 5 formed on one side thereof with a pair of longitudinally extending channels 5 and l which open to the ends of the body member 5 and are designed to receive the end portions of rod sections 8 and 9 which are inserted side Ways into the channels 6 and 1.

The channels 6 and l are formed intermediate their ends with a longitudinal serpentine contour as indicated at Ill and the rods 8 and 9 are formed of complementary serpentine contour as indicated at H to conform to the channels. The

end portions of the channels are straight and in alignment with each other as are the portions of the rods 8 and 9 seating therein. Mounted on the body portion of the coupling is a pair of hinged leaves l2 and I3 pivotally supported on pinions I4 carried by a pair of ears |5 projecting from the channeled face of the body portion 5, as particularly shown in Fig. 1. The channels 5 and l are formed of a depth corresponding to the thickness of the rods 8 and 9 so that when the rods are seated in the channels they will lie 5 wholly therein with the exposed sides of the portions thereof extending in the channels disposed on a plane with the side margins of the channels.

The inner end portions of the leaves I2 and I3 are formed to seat on the channeled face of the 5 body portion 5 when the leaves are positioned to overlie the latter, while the outer end portions.

of the leaves are slightly out-turned so that the outer ends will be normally spaced from the contiguous surfaces of the body portion 5; the leaves 10 i2 and I3 being formed, however, of resilient material so that they may be" sprung to bring their end portions into contact with the body portion 5 or in close proximity therewith. The inner faces of the leaves I2 and I3 are flat tr'ans- 15 versely thereof so that when the leaves are seated on the body portion the inner faces will bear on the side margins of the channels and on the serpentine end portions of the rods 8 and 9 to rigidly hold the latter against rotation. 20

An important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an effective means for holding the leaves l2 and I3 in a closed position and extended over the ends of the rods 8 and 9 seated in the recesses 6 and 1 so as to securely 25 retain the rods against disengagement from the coupling.

As here shown this means embodies a pair of fasteners l6 and I! of general U-shaped form, the connected endportions 8 of which seat in 30 channels I9 formed in flanges 20 on the ends of the body member 5; the leg portions of the fasteners having inturned end portions 2| engageable in notches 22 formed on the outer end. portions of the leaves l2 and I3. 36

In assembling the coupling the end portions of the rods 8 and 9 are seated in the channels 6 and 1 and the leaves l2 and I3 are positioned to extend over the ends of the rods, whereupon by the employment of a suitable tool, the outer 40 end portions of the leaves are sprung inwardly and the end projections 2| of the fasteners brought into engagement with the notches 22; the leaves springing outwardly under their tension on disengagement of the tool therefrom and 45 thereby effecting engagement with the ends 2| of the fasteners under pressure, such as to maintain the connected end portions of the fasteners and the ends 2| of the latter, in seated engagement with the ends of the coupling, thus securely 50 looking the leaves in their rod holding positions. When the parts are in their interengaged positions as just described and as shown in Figs. 1,

2 and 4, the contiguous ends of the rods are securely coupled together.

Disconnection of the rods is accomplished by compressing the ends of the leaves, then disengaging the fasteners from the leaves, swinging the leaves outwardly and lifting the rods from the channels 5 and 6.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the invention I do not limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement shown but may employ such changes and modifiactions as occasion may require coming within the meaning and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a sucker rod coupling a body portion formed with an open irregular channel, a leaf pivoted at one end to swing toward and away from the channeled side of said body portion, said leaf having a resilient outer end portion formed with a recess and being out-turned relative to said body portion and adapted to be sprungtoward said body portion under tension, and a fastener engaged with said body portion and engageable with said recess.

2. A sucker rod connection including rod sections having serpentine end portions, a coupling member formed with serpentine channels to receive and conform to the end portions of said rod sections, leaves on said coupling member disposed to overlie saidchannels, and means interconnecting'said coupling member and the outer ends of said leaves.

3. A sucker 'rod connection including rod sections having serpentine end portions, a coupling member formed with serpentine channels to receive and conform to the end portions of said rod aieaiz connecting said coupling member and the outer ends of said leaves, including fasteners engaged with said coupling member and having portions to overlie the outer ends of said leaves; said leaves having recesses to receive said fastener portions.

5. A sucker rod connection including rod sections having serpentine end portions, a coupling member formed with serpentine channels to receive and conform to the end portions of said rod sections, leaves on said coupling member disposed to overlie said channels, and means interconnecting said coupling member and teh outer ends of said leaves, including fasteners engaged with said coupling member and having portions to overlie the outer ends of said leaves; said leaves having recesses to receive said fastener portions,

said leaves having resilient end portions adapted to be placed under tension when said leaves are engaged by said fasteners.

HERMAN F. RICHTER. 

